Testing & Accountability
District Accountability Coordinator: Brenda Holliday
South Carolina Assessments
Benchmarks
Student progress in achieving the established instructional goals is frequently and systematically monitored and the learning tasks are appropriately modified. Teachers make use of state and district benchmark test results to plan instruction. Benchmarks tests are common assessments given at the end of each nine weeks and account for a percent of the students’ nine weeks grade.
English Language Development Assessment (ELDA)
All students in grades K-12 who are determined to have limited English proficiency—based upon the completion of a Home Language Survey and the initial assessment of their English proficiency—must take the ELDA each spring. Students must continue to take the ELDA until they have scored at Level 5, Fully English Proficient, on two consecutive administrations.
Palmetto Assessment of State Standards (PASS)
In accordance with
Act 282 (passed by the State Legislature in June 2008), the South Carolina Department of Education developed a new statewide assessment program for students in grades three through eight. The new program, known as the Palmetto Assessment of State Standards (PASS), is aligned to the state academic standards and includes tests in writing, English language arts (reading and research), mathematics, science, and social studies. The PASS test results are used for school and school district accountability purposes beginning with the 2008-09 school year. The assessment results are also used for federal accountability purposes (No Child Left Behind). For more information regarding PASS testing,
click here.
Measures of Academic Progress (MAP)Measurement of Academic Progress is a computerized adaptive test which helps teachers, parents, and administrators improve learning for all students and make informed decisions to promote a child's academic growth. For more information,
click here
End-of-Course Examination Program(EOCEP)
The
Education Accountability Act of 1998 required the development of end-of-course examinations in gateway or benchmark courses. The program is called End-of-Course-Examination Program (EOCEP). The examinations, which count 20 percent of the students' final grade in each gateway or benchmark course, currently include Algebra 1/Math for the Technologies 2, English 1, and Physical Science. In 2008-09 and thereafter, U.S. History and Constitution will be tested and will count as 20 percent of the final grade. In 2010-11, Biology will be tested and will count as 20 percent of the final grade.
Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)
The Scholastic Achievement Test measures verbal and math achievement. The SAT and ACT are required by most colleges for admission. For dates for SAT administrations and more information,
click here.
ACT
The ACT is America's most widely accepted college entrance exam. It assesses high school students' general educational development and their ability to complete college-level work. For dates for ACT administrations or more information,
click here.
Testing & AccountabilityDistrict Accountability Coordinator: Brenda HollidaySouth Carolina AssessmentsBenchmarksStudent progress in achieving the established instructional goals is frequently and systematically monitored and the learning tasks are appropriately modified. Teachers make use of state and district benchmark test results to plan instruction. Benchmarks tests are common assessments given at the end of each nine weeks and account for a percent of the students’ nine weeks grade.English Language Development Assessment (ELDA)All students in grades K-12 who are determined to have limited English proficiency—based upon the completion of a Home Language Survey and the initial assessment of their English proficiency—must take the ELDA each spring. Students must continue to take the ELDA until they have scored at Level 5, Fully English Proficient, on two consecutive administrations.Palmetto Assessment of State Standards (PASS)In accordance with Act 282 (passed by the State Legislature in June 2008), the South Carolina Department of Education developed a new statewide assessment program for students in grades three through eight. The new program, known as the Palmetto Assessment of State Standards (PASS), is aligned to the state academic standards and includes tests in writing, English language arts (reading and research), mathematics, science, and social studies. The PASS test results are used for school and school district accountability purposes beginning with the 2008-09 school year. The assessment results are also used for federal accountability purposes (No Child Left Behind). For more information regarding PASS testing, click here.Measures of Academic Progress (MAP)